Syracuse or Bust….
This past week I had the amazing opportunity to help lead a group of college students on a mission trip to Syracuse, NY. Last year I was a student on the trip, and was very excited about going up to Syracuse again.
We were there being led by Jim Murphy, who is a pastor at Missio Church in Syracuse. We had 3 goals through out the week; 1. Serve the city. 2 To pray with people 3. To present the gospel. These three things may have seemed a little overwhelming and daunting for us in the beginning of the week, but by the end of the week, we had all stepped out of our comfort zones, and was ready for any opportunity God gave to us.
Processing this whole trip and what God did through out the week, I was led to Psalm 50. Here are a few of many points that I have taken away from this trip, and excited to talk about:
- “God calls all of humanity, from where the sun rises to where the sun sets.” He does not call on just me, or just the students from the trip, but all humanity.
- .Verse 2 talks about Gods perfection of beauty and the glorious radiance. This week I got to see that. Gods perfection of beauty in a city, and in the people of this city. There is nothing less then beauty in that city. Each person, all bearing the beautiful image of Christ.
- Verse 3 “Our God approaches and He is not SILENT” Our God certainly is not silent. He was banging on the door of every person we encountered this week.
- I am so incredibly proud of the students I served with this week. They all grew so much in just a one week. We will be taking this home, and wherever God sends us in the future.
This past week, we were able to bless many, pray with many, and share the gospel with many. One girl in particular from the campus of Syracuse University, never in her 20 years of life had ever heard the name of Jesus Christ. That day she heard. There was another woman from the city in a grocery store admitted to never have prayed before, that day she prayed, and was prayed over. There were many other situations that could not have been constructed if it weren’t for the work of God. He is alive, and the tomb is empty!
This week not only showed me a form of love that I have never witnessed before, but also a whole new excitement for my next trip. This next trip, to 11 different countries I am going to be encountering so many new people, and different cultures. I have found the love for these faces that I don’t even know yet. I am so excited to get to know those beautiful faces, and bring them joy, grace and love, in the name of Jesus, just like we brought to the strangers of Syracuse.
Our students praying with a women at the grocery store.
Our students serving by helping pay and do laundry
We got to reach out to SU students for a day!
Our crazy Syracuse group at Niagara Falls!!
